


V" 



\^^ 
.^^ '^>'. 












^^ 






% 


o._ 


cP ■ 


c " ■V 


'f 








-^y 


.^ 

o 


0^ ^ 






•.^ 


■''i. ' 




^--X' -' 


^.v 


%; 

' V ^ ^ 


"^ a i \ ■■•■ 






' ■ "^ 


% s^^ 




>• 
^ '''' 




.^v ./,, 










c.\< 


"^:^ - 


./": 






■»V-.. 





^ o^c.<<^''^^^^-J' „v. 



-.N^^^ - 









,0- 






^ \'^ 



0^ 



-•cf' 


AN' 




cr> 


\^ 


- 


/ 






' ^ 


<fv 




/ 


-f^ 




:%; 





.Oq 









> .\\ 



.--^^ 






T' 



^ 



o>' 



■" ,o5 









S^ -^ 



.V 









^ ,0- 



%-<^ 

.^%. 









^^. . . ^ ■"' « "^b. 



^^^ V^^ 







. --^i^;^ .^^ -^ 






"\^- 



-".-0^ 









,x"^^'"^- 






<. '^ » 
V -^^ 






'^, ^^^ 









, -^^^ : 


■^ .#' 









'ci- •-. 















^^. '■ 



r 



PRICE TWELVE AND A HALF CENTS. 



THE 



(;4 



HIGH PRIVATE," 

WITH A FULL AND EXCITING HISTORY OF THE 




AND THE "MYSTERIES AND MISERIES' 



MEXICAN WAR. 



IN THREE PARTS.— PART FIRST» 



BY '^'CORPORAL OF THE GUARD." 

PRINTED FOR THE PUBLISHER. 

1848. 



THE 



"HIGH PRIVATE," 



WITH A FULL AND EXCITING HISTORY OF THE 

NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, 

ILLUSTRATED WITH FACTS, INCIDENTS, ANECDOTES, ENGRAVINGS, 
&c., &c., INCLUDING 

THE MYSTERIES AND MISERIES 



MEXICAN WAR 



m THREE PARTS.— PART FIRST. 

TO WHICH WILL BE APPENDED 

The Coastiliition and By-laws of the Guerrillas, Banditti, &c^ 

FOUND ON PllIEST JAURATA. 

BY ^'CORPORAL OF THE GUARD." 
^m 12ark: 

PRINTED FOR THE PUBLISHERS, 

AND FOR SALE BY ALL BOOKSELLERS THROUGHOUT THE tJNITED STATES, 

1848. 



^ 









Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year one thousand 
eight hundred and forty-eight, by Albert Lomhakd. 



INTRODUCTORi; 



In offering the followiog work to the world, the author 
claims no literary attainments, but, simply a " plain, un- 
varnished tale'' of facts, mysteries, miseries, &c., of "non 
com.'s" and "high privates" during the Mexican War. 
Officers have rendered their accounts in various ways; 
they have been feted, honored, puffed and blown " sky 
high," by their own accounts, but the poor "non com.'s" 
and privates, who have accomplished most of the work 
and suffered all the hardships and miseries of the Mexican 
War, are left to the icind^ to perish and die ! unknown 
and uncared for ! Too trnly has the private suffered — 
not only by the War, bad " promises," and bad treatment 
by many officers — but in sickness, shattered frames and 
broken down constitutions I 

If the author has erred or made any inaccuracy in this 
hasty production, he begs the kind indulgence of a liberal 
public ; and to the deserving officers, if he has done them 
any injury, he regrets if, and would say to <ifiw officers, 
" go, and sin no more." 

"CORPORAL OF THE GUARD." 

JVetr York, October, 1848. 



MAJOR GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT, 




As he actually appeared in battle. 






GENERAL SCOTT. 



The engraving on the opposite page is a correct por- 
traiture of Gen'l Scott and his horse, as they actually 
appeared in battle, with the exception that he sometimes 
wore a broad brimmed Mexican hat, called a "sombrero.^' 

In most all of the engravings of battles, the officers are 
represented as in full military dress, with dashing plumes, 
&c., while it is right the reverse ; every officer pulls off 
his fine toggery, and puts on the undress, or plain jacket 
and common *^' forage" cap, looking more like the private 
ready to take their chances with the men ; should they 
expose their plumes they would in all probability be se- 
lected for a " mark," which in time of battle they have 
no more desire for than the men. That peculiar dash- 
ing feeling on a review parade vanishes! and the officer 
finds himself but a man ! 



1* 



SKETCHES, INCIDENTS, ANECDOTES, 

MYSTERIES AND MISERIES OP THE FIRST 

NEW YORK YOLUJNTEERS, 

COL. WARD B. BUllNETT, COMMANDING, 

DURING PART OF 1846-1847-1848. 



CHAPTER I. 

FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT AND THE WAY THEY DID IT! 

Extra Pay— What sort of Officers and Men— Composition and Bravery 
— Anecdotes— How the men got whiskey— A more genteel way — 
The " bi^ sergeant"— First Chapter ended, and a few remarks about 
the one that is to come. 

In the early part of November, 1846, an order from 
Government was received to raise one regiment of Volun- 
teers for "during the War with Mexico." Accordingly, 
the First Regiment was selected, and Col. Ward B. Bur- 
nett, Lt. Col. Charles Baxter, and Major J. C. Burnham 
were appointed field officers; they selected ten places of 
rendezvous and issued notices for " able-bodied recruits 
willing to hve or die in defence of our common country," 
'promising three months ejxtra pay, or three months ad- 
vance, and six months clothing, which never went into 
operation so far as the poor soldier was concerned, except 
the six months clothing ; the gallant officers of course, 
fared a little better, which I will pay particular attention 
to before I get through. 



8 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

Too many letters have been written by the officers of 
the volunteer corps, as well as by " regulars," to ever 
arrive at real facts as they actually occured. The officer 
is inclined to false pride and self adulation ; of course, 
their actions are predominent over all the best germ of 
manly feeling for the poor hard-working and suffering 
soldier. 

"But now the hand of fate is on the curtain, 
And gives the scene to light." 

The drumming up of recruits .was commenced, and by 
the middle of December about eight hundred men enlisted 
for " better or for worse," as they say in the marriage 
ceremony, and were sent down to Fort Hamilton to fat 
on bread and pork — with soft planks for a bed and icy 
ground to drill on. 

WHAT SORT OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

Among the troops there were the greatest medley ever 
congregated together in one regiment during the War. 
For officers we had bafbers, tailors, sportsmen, bar-ten- 
ders, politicians, and "^ few gentlemen. For non-commis- 
sioned, we had a pretty considerable variety of decent 
fdlotos — my humble self included — all promised to be 
made Brio^adier Generals or somethins; else before " re- 
turning from the wars." 

The privates, too, were all promised " roast beef and 
two dollars a day," plenty of whiskey," golden Jesuses," 
pretty Mexican gals, "safe investments, quick returns," 
and every thing pictured to the fancy. 

The privates were generally smart active men, with 
the exception of about two hundred totally unfit for ser- 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 9 

vice, or scarcely anything else — a fraud on tlie War De- 
l)artment and a curse to the officers who enlisted them. 
But any thing to fill up the ranks, and ho ! [or Mexico ! 
Even the U. S Surgeon held no examination as is usual, 
and so ordered by the War Department ; it is true he 
passed the line in company with Col. Bankhead, eyeing 
each man and rejecting a number of boys unable to carry 
a musket, and a few others who looked the "worse for 
wear," but they were soon thrust into line again by our 
magnanimous officers. Thus was our regiment composed 
of rejected boys, men who were diseased and broken down, 
some lame and blind in one eye, others, were sixty-year 
old boys — with many beautiful subjects, selected especial- 
ly "by order" of the commander-in-chief of the First 
New York Regiment, bound for Mexico, among which 
were gentlemen from the Tombs, ragamuffins from Black- 
well's Island, Alms House, and a sprinkling of "Five 
Pointers;" and a more rascally, /ow.sy set was never thrown 
among decent men. There is no palliation for the officers, 
their conduct was outiageous ! to place men (of no kind 
of use except for "turkey buzzards") without havincr 
them cleansed — and their lousy, filthy, and diseased rags 
thrown to the dogs ! before putting on new clothes, and 
allowed to associate with decent men. I say it was out- 
rageous ! insulting and degrading to the clean soldier. 

The consequence was, that by inattention and indolence 
on the part of the officers (?) the whole regiment were 
covered vviih vermin before they left Fort Hamilton, by a 
few scamps. I shall have more to say about these live 
cattle aboard ship. 



10 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

COMPOSITION AND BRAVERY. 

The New York Regiment consisted of about eight hun- 
dred rank and file, three hundred Americans, the balance 
Dutch, Irish, French, English, Poles, Swedes, Chinese, 
Indians, &c., there were not one hundred men and officers 
ever born in the City of New Yark in the whole regiment. 
Understand me gentlemen, and kind reader, not one word 
do I say against the bravery of the New York Volunteers, 
I have not the least doubt of their whole-souled genuine 
bravery ; I never witnessed men who could stand the 
"charge" better in my life. I have seen some stand the 
charge of more than fifty to one and scarcely flinch, but, 
the " charge" w^as harmless, not Mexican spears — nothing 
more nor less than the incorrigible spears of — American 
lice! However, to be serious, it is said the greatest cow- 
ards i^'i// fight well when they get "cornered" or where 
there is no backing out. 

ANECDOTES. 

Notwithstanding all the troubles, vexations and hard- 
ships that naturally exist, we saw some happy ?Lnd funny 
moments, consequent upon green volunteer soldiers — the 
many jokes, errors and bulls that usually occur, which 
keeps one alive and in tolerable' good spirits. 

At evening parades the Adjutant, (Forrey, by the way, 
a fine officer, and what w^as rare among volunteers, a gen- 
tleman,) orders the " first sergeants to the front and cen- 
tre, march!" he then commands, "report!" when each 
sergeant, commencing on the right, answer so many sick 
and absent, or " all present and accounted for." When 
it came to the turn of an Irishman to report, he pays the 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 11 

salute in great agony, and bawls out at the top of his 
voice, " awl absent and accounted for !" The stern face 
of the Adjutant was so convulsed with daughter that it 
was with difficulty he could give the order "first sergeants 
to your post, inarch !" 

HOW THE MEN GOT WHISKEY. 

In order to keep up military appearance and to exhibit 
a little mushquash authority, sentinels were posted at all 
the gates to keep the volunteers, like prisoners, /rom pass* 
ing out and in without the "countersign," or an order 
from his highness " officer of the day !" But it would'nt 
do ! Soldiers would get out of the Fort some way, and 
how the pffi<:ers could not tell, they swore, stamped^ and 
looked ten thousand daggers! " They would be damned 
if they would not put on double guard." "Post double 
guard, sir, and you will find double the men out-siders," 
Says the present most humble servant, Corporal of the 
Guard. " Blood and zounds! what in hell does all this 
mean — can we have no authority over the men ?" " Yes 
sir !" I replied," by taking away your sentinels and treat- 
ing the soldiers like men, not like prisoners! and my word 
for it, not one man would leave his quarters where ten 
do now." 

There were different ways and means of quitting the 
Fort without as much as saying " by your leave sir." The 
most prominent was, march boldly up to the guard, touch 
your cap and expose slyly a whiskey bottle; that was 
sufficient to overcome all obstacles of our warriors," pass 
on," all " O. K." So out the soldier goes after his whis- 
key, returning pays toll by giving the sentinel a smack 
at the welcome cure-all. 



12 THE HIGH PR IV ATE. 

A MOKE GENTEEL WAY. 

Or, to be more military and of more consequence, heads 
up! march boldly to within ten feet of the guard ; when 
he commands a halt, looking as savage as a " Five Point 
pugilist" — says, " who comes there V " A friend," is the 
reply. ''Advance friend, and give the countersign." The 
soldier then advances, and gives the countersign among 
friends — " whiskey !" "All right ! pass on. I say soger! 
come back soon as you can; for I am cold and infernally 
dry!^^ The kind hearted, but deceived officer, all this 
time admiring, at a distance, how strictly military his 
sentinel does his duty. ♦ 

''the big sergeant." 

1 do not profess being an adept at relating stories, but 
the following illustrates the bravery of one at any rate. 
An Irishman, fresh caught, who stood six feet four, stout 
in proporrton, and with abundance of blarney, so delight- 
ed our otlu'eis that they appointed him sergeant, not for 
his capabilities, (for he hardly knew how to carry a mus- 
ket,) but for his hig figure, &c., he must be appointed 
over an American born, and whose father was an old re- 
volutionary soldier, and who was the choice of the com- 
pany by twenty-tive to seven votes. 

The " big sergeant" had but arrived in this country 
three days when he enlisted; he brao-cred of his beins: a 
great soldier in the " ould counthry," and in frequent 
fights, &c., but finally acknowledged that he was only a 
guard at some prison in Ireland, and that all the fights he 
ever had were with the rum bottle tor not holding enough, 
and which often whipped him, so much so, by his own 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 13 

story, "the directors discharged me," and he was com- 
pelled to seek America, "the land of free whiskey and 
the home of the desolate." Being on a " bit of a spree" 
one night, with sword all buckled on, and rigged up in 
his best, our " big sergeant" heatd a loud noise, hurraing, 
&c., which was occassioned by the arrival of the Albany 
Company, full of fun and war! It being very dark they 
could scarcely be seen, our hero — the "officer-made-ser- 
geant" — beat a retreat, and came rush ng into our quar- 
ters, pale as death, exclaiming, " wha-t-s tha-t ? thunder 
and ounes! the Mexicans are coming!" In a ftw min- 
utes v\e calmed him by the solemn assurance that they 
were nothing but "our boys," real Americans. Subse- 
quently he turned into his bunk with his sword and equip- 
ments all on, ready should the Mexicans make their 
appearance at Fort Hamilton ! 

" So endeth the first lesson." 

In my next chapter I shall attempt to give an account 
of a meeting at Centre Hall, Col. Burnett's speech, ad- 
vising the recruits to go down to Fort Hamilton and live 
on roast beef, &c., and his speech at Fort Hamilton, 
delivered in writing in the presence of the battalion, tell- 
ing how kind the City of New York had been in giving 
us five thousand dollars for our "comfort," and that we 
should have sewed shoes extra, whiskey, sweetmeats, 
sugar candy, &c. To conclude with the conclusion and 
winding up of a number of other chapters of "the same 
sort." 



14 THE HIGH ruiVATE. 



CHAPTER II. 

Kccniits at Centre Ilall— Col. Burnett's Speech— llo! for Fort Ilatnil' 
ton— The way to Recruit— Sergeants treating the Greenhorns— Cor- 
poral of the Guunrs arrival at the Fort — Life in the Fort— Whiskey 
forbidden— Cold Tea, &c. 

In the latter part of November, 1S46, a portion of the 
new recruits met '* by ortler" at Centre Hall, where they 
were formed into line as straight as a crooked stick, 
when the " dashing white sergeant" gave orders to 
" dress !'' " dress by the right !" " dress back on the left !" 
"steady in the centre!" "heads up !" "front!" &c., &c., 
but it was of no use, you might as well straighten the 
Sea Serpent. ^Nlost of them being raw recruits, and 
some yVesA caught from the " land of bogs," and of all 
sizes and sorts. Perhaps they might have been reflecting 
on that roast beef and ''three months advance" at Fort 
Hamilton, when in cnme our gallant Colonel, looking 
like a cropped Canadian pony ; three distinct cheers were 
given — '' long live our noble Colonel." " Hurra for roast 
beef." " Go it Jimmy !" " Down with Santer Rnnner," 
&c., &.C. It was several minutes before the Colonel 
could command silence, when he commenced nearly as 
follows. 

THE SrEECH. 

*' Fellow soldiei-s and comrades !'' (curious comrades, 
thinks I, judging from outward appearances,) " we have 
met for the lirst time together," (long pause.) " I am 
glad to see so many fine looking fellows," (three cheers! 
hurra for Mexico!) "Ye^! with such men I am proud 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. ^ 15 

to lead on to Mexico I" (tremendous cheering.) "You 
shall share with me — my bed shall be your bed — my 
food, your food" — (gammon !) — "In the toils and hard- 
ships of war, we will all shaie alike," (three cheers, 
that's it! that's the way we do it at Five Points! good! 
go it!) "Now, my brave fellows, I wish all those who 
have got nothing to eat, nor hole to lay his carcass in — 
would go toj^'ort Hamilton, where there's plenty of every 
thing." (Hurra for that I I'll go !) " I have engaged 
good quarters, and you can all have good beds, and 
plenty of roast beef and potatoes." (Nine cheers for 
that ! hurra ! hurra ! for roast beef and 'taters !) " I 
now take my most respectful — good night." (Three 
cheers for Col. Burnett and roast beef ! hip ! hip! hurra! 
hurra! hurra! ha! ha!) By the sergeant, "attention! 
company! by the right flank, left face P'' (Music.) 
"March!" And away they do march, up and down 
like a sheep's hind leg, is a caution to regulars. Thus 
ends the first interview. 

HO ! FOR FORT HAMILTON. 

Next morning about two hundred recruits sailed for 
the Fort in high glee — instead of soft beds they found 
hard planks, and a thin horse blanket, with a stick of 
wood for pillow and bolster; and instead of "roast beef 
and taters," they were glad to get raw pork and hard 
crackers. O ! the horrors of war ! — The rfiean and 
unmanly deception of the officers. However, many fared 
better than they had hten in the habit of. They were 
well aware that there were no accommodations provi- 
ded for them ; and to send men in the cold of winter, 
was inhuman, to say the least of it. 



16 THE HICxH PRIVATE. 

THE WAY TO RECKUIT. 

Time passed on, and recruiting went on — " come, my 
dear fellow, won't you list? glorious times ! roast beef, 
ice creams, and three months' advance ! You can leave 
your dear wife and children behind with plenty of money 
antl draw part of your pay in your absence. Glorious 
times! Come take something to drink with me — here's 
a health to old Zack ! Glorious times! pjenty to eat 
and drink — and if you are a pretty good fellow, we'll 
make a sergeant of you. Nothing so happy as a soldier's 
life — music all day — no work — only a little drill now 
and then — that's fun ! Come my boy ! let's take anoth- 
er glass, and I'll show you our rendezvous. Fine offi- 
cers — real gentlemen ! All we have got to do is — have 
a fine sea voyage to Vera Cruz, (Uncle Sam pays our 
passage,) bombard the City — swallow the Castle — and 
come home again with plenty of gold in our pockets and 
lots of glory in X)ur bones !" And so the days would 
move on, the Sergeant "treating" the green ^uns, bring- 
ing them to the rendezvous for exhibition to the worthy 
Captain or Lieutenant, who would "treat" again, and 
tell the poor fellow all about the glory and money he 
would naturally receive fiom his good appearance, &c., 
how good and kind they would be, and in case of sick- 
ness it cost him nothing, anci they would stick by him — 
roast beef and sweet potatoes were nothing to be com- 
pared to their proirises — every man, too, should be " made 
a Sergeant or Corporal" and perhaps a Lieutenant should 
any of them be so lucky as to "shuffle off this mortal 
coil." (Pity some did'nt before they left the Fort, for 
the benefit of the rising generation.) 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 



17 



"corporal of the guard's" arrival at fort HAMILTON. 

December third another hatch of " sogers" was sent to 
the Fort, but quite a different lot from those who went 
previous; among the " batch" was the "Corporal of the 
Guard" and other distinguished and notorious gentlemen. 
We found any thing else but what had been represented 
to us by the ofiicers. 

LIFE IN the fort. 

We found cold weather, good hard floors and a very 
light apology for a blanket, we began to think that the 
" horrors of war" had come in reality, leaving a luxuri- 
ous home and a go(d led, to sleep on a hard plank, was 
not so very agreeable as most people imagine. 

We cursed — we swore ! 
We ripped and tore ! ! 

One fine chap said "he didn't want to go any further, he 
had got enough of the War for the last twenty-four 
hours," and left for the City in double-quick time ; he 
was subsequently caught, brought back, and the poor 
fellow's bones are now bleaching on the heights of Cerro 
Gordo ! After strong talk, spiced with threats of leaving 
the officers "alone in their glory," we made a raise of 
fresh beef and bread— 'taters were scarce, for some rea- 
son they dare not appear in sight of the enemy. " Re- 
freshments" such as whiskey, &c., had to be smuggled in 
from a small grocery near the " outward walls" of the 
Fort ; ardent spirits w^ere forbidden to be brought in, yet 
the grandiloquent officers, superior in flesh, raind and 
soul, could soak till some were unfit to appear on parade ! 
But there were various ways to avoid detection by the 



18 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

officers, and it did not take much wit or talent to deceive 
them. Whiskey would get in some way, in spite of all 
the orders they might issue. It was not that the officers 
had any particidar regard for our souls, or any particular 
objection to our taking a drop now and then, but to beat 
them in drinking, (which was hard to do,) they did not 
relish at all. Then again there might not be enough left 
for their rummy heads. 

THE " corporal'^ GOING AFTER COLD TEA. 

One morning very early, it being my turn to go after 
hitters, I approached the grocery with all the dignity of 
one who feels the importance and responsibility of his 
situation ! and not expecting to meet any one so early — 
I was somewhat surprised to behold a half-a-dozen hig 
and little Lieutenants, with their eyes half open, rapping 
at the grocery for the boy to *' arise and come forth !" for 
they " were diy. and thirsty" and wanted drink ! As I 
appeared in front of the thirsty tribe of warriors — for 
there was no backing out or chapperal to hide in — 1 
hastily touched my cap, when one of the smartest in the 
crowd observed, " well. Corporal, what do you want at 
this time in the morning ?" I replied, " a little tea, sir." 
"O you rascal, a little cold tea/'' said another bright 
one, whose head looked as if it had caught cold last 
night sleeping side of a brandy cask. Moreover never- 
theless, the boy arose, came forth gaping like a sick 
child— m short, we all got our tea and vamosed. 

" Still so gently o'er me stealing. 
Fond tvhiskey brings back the feeling." 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 1^ 

DRUMMING. 

At daylight (tattoo) we were drummed up, at seven 
drummed to the " doctor's," at nine drummed to " mount 
guard," at ten drummed to morning parade and drill, at 
twelve drummed to dinner, at two drummed to company 
drills, at four drummed to evening parade, &c., at eight 
drummed to bed, and its nothing but drum, drum— all 
night dreaming about "right face!" "front face!'' 
"shoulder arms!" "charge bayonets!" and— salt pork. 

" Home, home, sweet, sweet home, 
Be it ever so humble 
There's no place like home." 

ANOTHER WAY OF RECRUITING— NOT SPOKEN OF IN MODERN 
OR ANCIENT HISTORY. 

Another way of recruiting, never before "written in 
the bills," and showing great Yankee ingenuity, was to 
pubhsh an' advertisement for "Mechanics and Laborers 
to go South— good wages, and passage free," which 
broucrht large numbers to the rendezvous ; many were 
caught and deluded by the thVilling and splendid account 
of a glorious campaign, promising three months extra 
pay and a Iran new suit of clothes; after treating, &c., 
the poor fellow was induced to sign the muster roll, and 
politely invited to take a ride to Fort Hamilton to receive 
the hospitalities of that great and glorious institution, for 
the cultivation' of vermin and manufacturing of great 
men ! 



20 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 



CHAPTER III. 

A Muss— Six Montlis' Clothing— New Toggery— Col. Burnett's Speech 
to the Battalion— Ditto to the Albany Company — Twenty-one Dollars 
— The Corporation— Horrors of the War, &c. 

A CUT UNDER THE FIFTH RIB. 

After arriving at the Fort, it was very difficult to ever 
return, you were treated so very politely ; and the recruit 
finds that he has been most^ egregiously mistaken or 
hoaxed, that he has " barked up the wrong tree," is 
"done for," "used up," and very liable to get "into a 
muss" if he dares to say a word, or even ask Ccl. Bur- 
nett for a few cents for his suffering family, or for a small 
portion of that "five thousand dollars" the City gave for 
the "aid and comfort" of the poor soldier, which the 
"Corporal of the Guard" will have something very par- 
ticular to say on the subject, which may cause an irrup- 
tion of Mount Burnett. 

* * * "Would'st thou drown thyself. 
Put but a little water in a spoon. 
And it shall be as all the ocean— 
Euough to stiffle such a hypocrite up." 

SIX months' clothing. 
On the IGth of December, 1846, nearly all the troops 
were mustered into the service — our military toggery 
delivered to the men, and the way the old clothes were 
dragged about the parade ground by the fellow animals, 
which had so long kept company near the body, (and 
much nearer the heart than many women ever get,) was 
a caution to any thing in the bug line. Many were the 
jokes cracked at our new appearance, some of whom had 



THE HIGH TRIVATE. 



21 



scarcely ever felt the sensation of "military toggery' 
a new suit of clothes, and appeared quite at a loss to 
know how to walk or march ! But the way our young 
and magnanimous officers, and our glorious, great and 
splendid corps of "non corn's" (the brave "Corporal" 
among the number) did walk over the course was a sm 
to Gen. Bombastes— saluting each other as they passed 
and re-passed— swords dangling by their sides— all look- 
ing savage as an old war-horse I Eyes flashing! and 
thinking and dreaming of unutterable things and doings. 

"Here comos my mortal enemy, 
Either he must fall in fight— or I !" 

COL. BURNETT'S SPEECH, (iN PART,) 

Delivered before the New York Battalion at Fort Hamil- 
ton, December, 1848, in presence of a large number 
of ladies and gentlemen (the "latest news never before 
published,") on the "five thousand dollars appropria- 
tion." 

"Fellow soldiers! It gives me pleasure to meet you 
here to-day. Your noble bearing, good conduct and ap- 
pearance, satisfy me that your Colonel will have reason 
to be proud of you. The City Councils of New York 
have made an appropriation for your benefit," (what's 
become of it ?) " by which I shall be enabled to give 
you many necessaries, and comforts in case of sickness. 
You shall also have new shoes ! not Government pegged 
shoes, but real sewed shoes, India rubber tent cloths," 
&c., &c., and other things too tedious to mention.- 
*' fLuow soldiers ! you ought to thank the City Corpora- 
tion for their liberal donation." The " soldiers" do thank 



22 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

the Corporation, and the '^ soldiers" would "thank" Col. 
Burnett to deliver over a part of the -plunder. As most 
of your brave and deluded men have perished under your 
command, and caimot receive the "comforts" you pro- 
mised, (if they had many might have now been among 
the living,) I would suggest that the amount be given to 
the widows and orphans of the poor soldiers who have 
lost their lives during the War in Mexico; by so doing, 
you may retrieve some of your lost character for honor 
and honesty. To charge you with cowardice I do not — 
but I charge you with cheating, swindling and deceiving 
the poor soldier of his rights ! 

TWENTY-ONE DOLLARS ! TWENTY-ONE DOLLAIiS ! 

The men who have been fortunate enough to live, 
have not forgot the inducement of *■ tw^enty-one dollars" 
by reason of which they enlisted — many, for the purpose 
of leaving a mite at home for their suffering families, in 
the dead of winter. Here let me charge you, and per- 
haps a few others, of direct or indirect ruin and the 
breaking up of many interesting families, by deception! 
fraud ! and the keeping of monies for your own private 
ends and speculation, given by the liberal, honorable, 
and w^hole-souled, heart-felt Corporation of the City of 
New York, for the aid and comfort of those poor men 
Avho volunteered to fight and die for them and their con- 
stituents. I have not the pleasure of a personal acquain- 
tance with any member of the Corporation, but I believe 
their intentions were good, that they have been deceived, 
and that they are satisfied with the deception imposed 
upon them, so much so, that their last appropriations, 



r 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 23 

God bless them, have been made so that they knew the 
*' soldier" got his rights, and not to another person for 
selfish purposes, who perhaps if he had the management 
the "medals" might have been scarce of silver! 
Little did he think — 

" A chiel's amang ye takin' notes, 
And faith he'll prent 'em !" 



A fine company of men, under command of the gallant 
and much lamented Capt. Van Olinda, arrived at the 
Fort about the tenth of December, under the impression 
that they were to be treated like freemen and not like 
slaves, and learning that there was some doubt about re- 
ceiving the long promised " twenty-one dollars" or three 
months extra pay in advance, they kicked, refused to do 
duly, and swore to return unless they were honorably 
dealt by; Captain Van Olinda was not in the least to 
blame, and used all his exertions to satisfy the men, when 
our lord and honorable Colonel steps in front of the Com- 
pany and addresses them thus — '• My dear fellows I have 
been disappointed ; the funds which were expected to 
assist the poor soldier, and vvhich they must naturally 
stand so n^uch in need of — has not arrived, but you 
shall receive your pay as promised — if I pay it out of 
my own pocket. I pledge you my honor.'' (Precious 
hojtor it has proved.) " So l.beg you will return to your 
duty like men ; and follow me to the bloody battle-field, 
and return with all the honors of war !" (Some cheer- 
ing and hissing ) They did return indeed ! Out of one 
hundred men that he addressed, about sixteen returned ! 



24 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 



and the wives, sisters, mothers and fathers of many of 
those brave men, are now weeping and suffering from 
the loss of their friends and relations. 

Ye Gods ! Colonel ! if you have one spark of human 
feeling, you must iceep ! Your sleepless nights must be 
painful indeed — to dream of those hones you have left on 
the field of battle, unknown and imcared for, or you must 
have a heart of adamant ! I leave you to your own re- 
flections — and when you die, even should it be on the 
gallows, " may God Almighty have mercy on your soul ;" 
for precious little mercy will those have who lost friends 
by accessory deeds of indirect, if not positive manslaughter 
and murder ! Oh ! my dear Sir, you need not tremble ! 
I could wish no greater punishment, than you to hear 
the curses of the living, or the imaginations of your mind, 
of those whom you have been the cause of destruction, 
and almost the entire ruin of the whole New-York Regi- 
ment, which, I hope, will give you " glory enough for 
one day !" 

"If there's vpngeance in an injured heart, 
And power to wreak it in an armed hand, 
Your hearts shall ache for it." 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 25 



CHAPTER IV. 



Black Slave vs. White Slave— The difference in mortality between the 
officers and men— Tyranny— Inhumanity— Fraud— Privates as good 
as anybody, &c., &c.— With a touch of the Poetical. 

FALSE INDUCEMENTS. 

If it is cruel to dragUnck men from their homes, how 
much more cruel it is to drag white men from their 
homes under false inducements, and compelling them to 
leave their wives and children, without leaving a cent or 
any protection, in the coldest season of the year, to die in 
a foreign and sickly climate ! '^ But," says the reader, 
" why did they enlist, and leave their familie.s in distress V 
The answer is, many enlisted for the sake of their families, 
having no employment, and having been offered " three 
month's advance," and were promised that they could 
leave part of their pay for their families to draw in their 
absence. They, poor duped men, but with patriotic and 
noble feelings toward their wives and children, sacrificed 
every thing for the sole purpose of their support. Thus, 
it will be seen that the non-commissioned officers and pri- 
vates have been cheated, swindled, and their families left 
destitute, by rascally promises and deception ! I boldly 
pronounce, that the whole Regiment was got up by 
fraud — a fraud on the soldier, a fraud on the City of 
New-York, and a fraud on the Government of the United 
States — and Col. Ward B. Burnett and his gai^g can 
make the most of it. 



26 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

THE DIFFERENCE IN MORTALITY. 

It appears not twenty in one hundred men that origin- 
ally went out with the New-York Regiment ever re- 
turned, as four out of five either died or were killed ; 
and of the officers, not one in eight were killed or died, 
or at the rate of one hundred officers over eighty returned, 
when of the men, but twenty returned ! 

Why this tremendous difference in mortality! Why 
should men die or be killed more than the officers? 
Were not the officers as brave as the men ? They brag 
of their bravery and sufferings ! There is a very good 
reason why the officers suffered with so little loss, in com- 
parison with the rank and file. The officers were taken 
better care of, (or took better care of themselves, for 
they could form an excuse of sickness previous to a battle, 
but the sick man must go anyhow ;) and he had more 
assistance, nourish?nent, and attendance, when sick, than 
the poor private, who was his equal, and in many cases, 
his superior. He was often left with an ignorant and 
tyranical doctor, not fit to butcher dogs, or, to the tender 
mercies of the traiterous Mexican. Does this prove that 
the officers suffered with the men ? And, one would 
think, from the many valorous letters written home by 
the officers, they had done all the fighting, all the work, 
and received all the wounds and sufferings, (they re- 
ceived all the pay, I admit,) but, let me tell them, there 
were men in the ranks of the volunteers superior in drill, 
in intellect, and with higher notions of honor and 
hojiesty ! who had families and relatives at home where 
many of the officers would hardly be allowed to eat a 
meal of victuals in their kitchens. 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 27 

" I AM A MAN, AND LIVE !" 

Such was one-half the abuse and treatment received 
by the men, many of whom, I beheve, were indirectly 
murdered by bad treatment, and the inhumanity of their 
officers ! I do not charge al], God knows— there were a 
few officers that had a spark of feeling left, but they 
were scarce. 

God has given as free and noble a soul to the private 
as to the officer ; but, envy and scorn are too often his 
portion — they do not like to see themselves outstripped 
by one whom they consider no better than themselves, 
and instead of encouraging, they dampen his ardor with 
sneers and cold looks, and fill his heart with grief. 

'• Brutes may bear bondage — they were made for it, 
When heaven set men above them ; but no mark. 
Definite and indelible, it put 
Upon one man to mark another. 
That he should live his slave. O heavy curse ! 
To have thought, reason, judgment, feelings, tastes, 
Passions and conscience like another man, 
And not have equal liberty to use them." 

Oh ! if a few of my unfortunate comrades could have 
but returned — and exclaimed — 

" I am a man, and live ! !" 

they would have given all the world for one deep damn- 
ing look at their officers, and die with pleasure I 



28 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 



CHAPTER V. 

Trouble in camp — Non-Commissioned Officers holding private meet- 
ings—The Colonel's veto on it — Arrest of Sergeant O'lleily — Strong 
talk of " a muss" — A little more about the "twenty-one dollars" — 
The "five thousand dollars" — Capt. Shaw — Two ships in sight — "A 
muss" — Lieut. Col. Baxter — Col. Burnett, with respects. 

INSUBORDINATION. 

A few days previous to our departure to the land of 
death and slavghter, the troops became dissatisfied in re- 
gard to their treatment, and showed strong symtoms of 
insubordination, desertion, &c. The " non com.'s" held 
private meetings for the purpose of making a stand, un- 
less the "three month's extra pay" wms forthcoming, or, 
before leaving our christian soil ; in consequence, the 
nohle and honest Colonel, (who had so much kind feel- 
ing for the welfare of the soldier,) gave orders that no 
more meetings should be held, under the penalty of his 
castigation — nor should more than two " non com.'s" be 
seen together at one and the same time. The men 
became more and more dissatisfied. Mothers, wives, 
and suffering children — crying for money to buy bread, 
which they were expecting to receive from \hQ fromised 
*' three month's pay." Sergt. O'Reily was arrested, and 
a few privates put under guard ; but it was of no use, — 
the men were bound to have '* a muss," and would have 
had one if it were not for a few accidents that occurred. 
The " three month's extra" was continued to be thrust 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 29 

down their throats, and Sergt. O'Reily, (since b^en made 
Sergt. Major,) was reduced to "high private," and or- 
dered to leave the fort in one hour ! 

THE "five thousand DOLLARS." 

Another difficulty — the men were not satisfied in re- 
gard to the appropriation by the City of five thousand 
dollars for the " aid and comfort" of the " non com.'s" 
and privates, and a number met, chose a select commit- 
tee, who waited upon Col. Burnett, politely enquiring 
when we were to receive our share or benefit from the 
" appropriation," as many were about to leave families 
in the rear who needed assistance. The reply was " that 
we need not trouble ourselves about our families, that 
they woukl be taken care of," and ordered us to our 
quarters, giving no satisfaction whatever. A few mo- 
ments had hardly expired when the committee were or- 
dered under arrest for daring to approach his dignity and 
self -consequence ! Capt. Shaw, (Pashaw ! it should be,) 
made himself conspicuous (when there was no enemy in 
front) at the Fort — went to Mexico — returned — and eter- 
nally damned his tyrannical idea of military power ! — 
" he fought, died ! bled and" literally " ran away." In 
peace, he was the bravest man in the regiment — in war, 
he was the biggest coward ! 

" Princes and lords may flourish or may fade, 
Ai)reath can make them, as a breath has made ; 
But a bold yeomanry, their country's pride. 
When once destroyed can never be supplied." 

TWO SHIPS IN SIGHT. 

Now "comes the tug of war." Two ships were in 
3* 



30 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

sight, said to have been sent down in a hurry in order to 
put the refractory aboard. The following day five com- 
panies, A, C, D, E and G were ordered to hold them- 
selves in readiness to " board ship." " Such a row, such 
a rumpus" you never did see ! 

"a muss." 
The men raved and swore they were " cheated," "de- 
ceived," " swindled !" and that they never would go 
aboard with a ''whole s'xin'' on, "traitors in the camp !" 
no "money!" no "extra pay," no chance of bidding 
"farewell" to families and friends! but drove on board- 
a-ship like 5/ai'e5 / "Who cares?" thinks the officers, 
"we can bid our wives and children good hye ! only get 
the poor devil of a private aboard, all will be safe.'^ 
But revenge ! the men swore sooner or later ; but, alas ! 
but few rt turned 1 and those few who have returned are 
broken down in spirits and health; some to learn the 
loss of their wives, while some have either died, run 
away, or have been seduced by the very friends who 
promised protection! O! sad, sad indeed, has been the 
fate of the poor soldier! Many silent curses have rent 
the air, and more will yet, should life hold out its glim- 
mering light. Many a father and mother have been 
deprived of a son who might have lived had they the 
proper care taken of them, and by those fathers and mo- 
thers could they have obtained double pay for#all expense 
and trouble. But "who cares?" When sick they are 
of no more use to the army. " God bless 'em, let 'em 
die." But thank the good God ! they are 7narked—{heiv 
characters are written in heaven ! They are loathed and 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 31 

mis er able on ih\s em ihl and I leave the Devil to take 
care of them in the next. 

I will now digress, and ask my friends to wait 'till I 
get aboard ship— in the mean time, I will introduce a 
few remarks which may not be out of place or uninterest- 
ing, on the brave and much lamented Lieut. Col. Charles 
Baxter. 

DRILLING OFFICERS AT THE FORT. 

It was much to be regretted that we had so little dril- 
ling at Fort Hamilton, previous to our departure for 
Mexico, for most of the officers required it as well as the 
men ; instead of drinking, carousing, and visiting New- 
York for the purpose of show, &c., it would have been of 
much more service and honor to the regiment, to have 
drilled first the officers, then they could obtain some 
knowledge, in order to drill and instruct the privates. 
There were a few officers who did not entirely neglect 
their duties, and who appeared to have taken some pride 
in o-ivins instruction to the raw recruits. Among them, 
as near as I can recollect, were Lieut. Col. Baxter, Capt. 
Van OUnda, Lieut's Boyle, McCabe, Sweeny, Floyd, 
Sergea'nts Carpenter, Lombard, Young, Hart, &c., who 
w^ere industrious in all things, until they almost became 
disgusted with their brother officers, for inattention or 
want of activity and interest in the welfare of the regi- 
ment. Some were, perhaps, excusable on account of 
their ignorance; therefore, out of charity, I will not 
mention their names. 

A FAINT EULOGY ON LIEUT. COL. CHARLES BAXTER. 

About two hundred men were marched to New-York, 



32 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

commanded by Col. Baxter, for the purpose of exhibiting 
ourselves, &c. ; and we learned more drilling under 
*' Baxter" in three days, two hours at a time, than we 
learned the whole six weeks we were at Fort Hamilton. 
Col. Charles Baxter was a gentleman and a soldier in 
every sense of the word. He had no superior in drill — 
he was stern and commanding, yet mild and persuasive. 
Men thought it a favor and a pleaswe to be under his 
instruction. The drill, for the purpose of visiting New- 
York, was considered " extra," and none were ordered 
or compelled to be present; yet upwards of two hundred 
volunteered, on hearing that Baxter was to drill them — 
and it has been said, that vetrans never marched better 
than we did on the occasion of our visiting the city. Col. 
Baxter complimented, and appeared proud of us, as well 
he might, for ive felt proud of him. Often times have I 
heard the men say, " I wish Baxter was our colonel," or 
" at the head of the regiment." The men loved him, and 
would have followed or gone anywhere he commanded. 
And often, on parade, Jike an impatient war-horse, have 
I seen him bite his lips and bend his sword, with inward 
excitement, and to appearance, disgust, at the many 
errors of Obi. Burnett and subordinates. 

In battle. Col. Baxter was calm, bold, and daring, 
without being reckless — foreseeing, and cooly observing 
every obstacle, looking well for the protection of his 
men before self. 

Oh! had we but him for our first colonel! how many 
of the New-York Regiment might now have been en- 
joying the fire-sides of their homes, and among friends 
dear to them as the greatest lord in creation, instead of 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 33 

their hones bleaching on the battle field ! The writer of 
this faint praise, had no personal acquaintance with Col. 
Baxter, nor had he ever ten minutes conversation with 
him in military affairs, the remarks are made from per- 
sonal observation and duty to a brave, chivalrous, and 
high-minded soldier ! 

Peace to his ashes ! — Honor to the men who composed 
the Baxter Blues ! may they ever retain their glorious 
name for ages to come ! 

THE DEATH OF COLONEL BAXTER AT THE BATTLE OF 
CHAPULTEPEC 
'"Twas then brave Baxter from the walls surveyed, 
Wide o'er the fields the hostile bands arrayed : 
' O, heaven !' he cried, ' my bleeding country save ! 
Is there no hand on high ro shield the brave "? 
Yet, thongh destruction sweep these lovely plains — 
Rise ! fellow-men '.—our country yet remains! 
By that dear name, we wave the sword on high! 
And swear for her to live ! — with her to die !' 
He said — and on the rampart height arrayed 
His trusty warriors, few, but undismayed : 
In vain, alas ! in vain ye gallant few. 
From rank to rank your volley thundering flew. 
Oh ! bloodiest picture in the book of time !" 



34 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Or an Extra Cliapter by the way of an Anchovy, before we go to Sea. 
WHO GOT THAT MONEY ? - 

There has been considerable excitement and difficulty 
in ascertaining- what has become of the money appropri- 
ated by the City Council, and by citizens, for the benefit 
of the New York Volunteers, and handed over to Col. 
Ward B. Burnett ; he has never as yet given any satis- 
faction to the public. A few who have a right to know 
— a friend of mine gave a handsome sum, and he says 
he is informed that it went " for the benefit of the New 
York Volunteers, for comforts," &c. I think that I can 
enlighten many who are in the dark^ though it should 
happen to make his highness, the great and living Colo- 
nel, a little riley : not being under the tyrannical power 
of any officer, I may dare to speak, and I intend to 
speak and write what I think, and what a few richly 
deserve — that it may hereafter be a warning to treat 
men like men — not like common slaves — and that there 
may be as good men in the ranks as any who ever wore 
a gold epaulet. I promised men on their dying beds " I 
would do it,'' and as Gen. Shields says, *' I believe my 
life was preserved for some good " It was formerly a 
frequent remark " who struck Billy Patterson ?" at pre- 
sent its " who got that money ?" I can tell where a 
sm,all part of it went, and perhaps Col.. Burnett and his 
officers can tell what became of the larger part? 



THE HIGH PRR^ATE. 



35 



THE " CORPORAL OF THE GUARD's" STORY ABOUT THE FIRST 
THOUSAND DOLLARS. 

It is well known that the City authorities made first 
an appropriation of one thousand dollars, to aid the New 
York Volunteers in recruiting men, &c., for the First 
Regiment, Col. Burnett, for Mexico ; of which one thou- 
sand dollars each Captain received fifty dollars for " poc- 
ket money," or as Col. B. expresses it, " for the purposes 
of defraying expenses," such as rooms, lights, &c., (pre- 
cious little of it ever went into " rooms" except what 
weni in bottles,) which makes five hundred of the appro- 
priation. The other five hundred we will give to Col. 
Burnett and staff, of course they want " a little pocket 
money" for champaign, suppers, &c. Calling myself a 
liberal man I allow these items cheerfully, for the pur- 
pose of defraying necessary expenses. Well, one thou- 
sand dollars are honorably accounted for. 

DITTO ABOUT THE FIVE THOUSAND. 

Now for the five thousand dollars appropriated by the 
City Councils " to aid in furnishing clothing and com- 
forts for the ?io?i-commissioned officers and privates.''^ 
Mark ye ! " For the * non com.'s' and priva.es." Be- 
fore I get through I will tell you all about the " com- 
forts," and what " comforts" the soldiers received out of 
the five thousand dollars fund. Col. Burnett attempts to 
give an account of the disbursment of the five thousand, 
(without any vouchers,) in the Courier and Enquirer of 
about January tenth, 1847. 

I am sorry that I am unable to quote his statement at 
present ; but I distinctly recollect that the statement was 



36 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

blinded and untrue, and so most of the men declared at 
the time, and with the utmost disgust at his deception and 
treatment. 

Col. B.'s statement in the Courier and Enquirer, I 
think, was one thousand dollars for his officers to pur- 
chase swords, ornaments, &c., for the dear creatures^ 
\vhich, by the by, I understand, have never been entirely 
paid for — and that an agent was sent out to Vera Cruz 
with a bill for these very identical swords, jewelry, &c., 
which the great financier put in against the five thou- 
sand dollar appropriation, for the " comforts^^ of the 
'*' non com.'s and privates." Is it true, or is it not, my 
dear colonel ? If I am wrong, I acknowledge the corn. 

** CLOTHING AND COMFORTS." 

Well, gentlemen, now there is a balance of five thou- 
sand dollars for " clothing and comforts" for the poor 
soldier. I make for eight hundred men for clothing at 
twenty-one dollars each, one thousand, six hundred and 
eighty dollars, which we Worked for, and which we are 
entitled to by law from " Uncle Sam," as six month's 
advanced clothing. Among the " comforts," was about 
(to be very liberal,) four hundred government pegged, 
and one hundred sewed shoes, amounting to about six 
hundred and twenty-five dollars received, including all 
the " comforts," (whiskey always excepted, and precious 
little of that,) leaving a balance of one thousand six 
hundred and ninety-five dollars for extra *' comforts," 
which I leave with the colonel to explain at some future 
period. 

One thousand dollars, he says, he paid for recruiting 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 37 

services, tf he did, there are many bills which never 
have been paid ; and he has apphed at some of the old 
rendezvous for their bills — " that he could procure the 
money at Washington." At one rendezvous I called at, 
they refused to give any information, saying, that they 
were friends of Col. Burnett. This plainly showed that 
there was something " rotten in Denmai k ;" for, if they 
were " friends," and all things " 0. K.," they would most 
certainly have been happy and willing to vindicate Col. 
Burnett's character, when I charged him with using the 
soldier's money for his own private purposes. 

MORE MONEY UNACCOUNTED FOR. 

Then comes more money from private subscription, by 
the citizens of New-York, amounting to the snug little 
sum of eight hundred seventy-three dollars and seventy- 
five cents. " Who got that money ?" The deponent 
saith not. Probably, it went the same road that all the 
rest of the funds went — for " comforts." 

Now, it appears that the whole amount received fiom 
the city authorities and chizens, amounts to the grand 
total of six thousand eight hundred and seventy-three 
dollars and seventy-five cents. The non-commissioned 
officers and privates receiving out of this sum, two thou- 
sand three hundred and five dollars, a part of which was 
due from government for the " sixth month's clothing," 
amounting to one thousand six hundred and eighty dollars, 
leaving for " comforts," six hundred and twenty-five dol- 
lars, which is every cent that was ever received by the 
" non com.'s and privates." Yet, we are told that this 
money was given for their benefit, Jeaving the enormous 



38 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

sum of six thousand two hundred and forty-eight dollars and 
seventy-five cents in the hands of Col. Ward B. Burnett, 
most of which is unaccounted for satisfactory to me, or a 
majority of the regiment. I do not say that Col. Burnett 
*' has got that money" — but, this I do say, that the non- 
commissioned officers and privates have not got it. The 
Colonel has, or, is about to make a settlement with the 
War Department, in which all his claims in getting the 
New-York Regiment have, or are to be allowed, exclu- 
sive of the 5wm received from the Corporation and pa- 
triotic citizens of New-York. 

This paying a man twice for getting up a regiment of 
soldiers, and cheat the men '* into the bargain," is what 
I should call playing a pretty strong game — and pocket- 
ing the largest part at that — is doing it up scientifically. 
However, we are a " progressive people/' and growing 
smarter, if not more honest every day. Amen ! — " Com- 
mo lo passa usted '?" 

The end of the sixth lesson. 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 39 



CHAPTER VII. 

Leaving Fort Hamilton— Considerable talk about it— Some objection 
about going without the " three months extra"- Prospect of a Muss 
—The plot thickens— Danger— Ship Catherine and bark Isabella rea- 
dy for Companies A, C, D, E and G— Big talk about not leaving— 
Svsrearing, cursing and using profane language to excess— Officers 
threaten to bring "regulars" from Governor's Island to quell the 
''volunteer spirit"— Great danger in case they did— More coaxing 
and promises— Officers smelling the "noncom.'s" breath— Jugs of 
rum— Highway robbery aboard steamboat— "All aboard don't go '?"— 
To conclude with the conclusion at Fort Hamilton, and a great va- 
riety useless to mention here. 

LEAVING FORT HAMILTON. 

Five companies, A, C, D, E and G, having been noti- 
fied to leave Fort Hamilton in double-qmck time, in order 
to fill up the holes on board the ship Catherine and bark 
Isabella, then and there lying off the above said Fort, in 
the Bay of New-York, bound for Mexico ! 

The men, somewhat taken by surprise, knew no bounds 
to their exclamations and threats ; but they were doomed 
to be cheated, wheedled, and coaxed, and " promises" of 
pay when aboard ship ; they doggedly marched— no ! 
walked on board of a small steamer, to transport us to 
the vessels which lay off at anchor. Some tried to es- 
cape, but were " caught in the act,'' and drove on board 
the steamer at the sword's point, it being the first brave 
action I noticed, previous to leaving the fort, which gave 
a peculiar sensation to the " Corporal of the Guard"— a 
kind of terror of which was to come, and which did 



40 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

come — and he has never got over his " peculiar sensation" 
yet. All safe on board, the first work to be done, was, to 
seek plunder, which the soldiers soon found, evidently, to 
their joy, and to the satisfaction of all on board, except 
the agents, proprietors, and dealers in the rum line. A 
sort of bar, wnth a few jugs of whisky in it was scented 
out — though locked up from the " kidnappers" — the 
men soon found their way into the bar and among the 
decanters and jugs, and the way they run was a caution to 
" Santer Ranner^' at Cerro Gordo ! The w^ould-be-smart- 
officers attempted to catch the b-ho3^s, but they could'nt 
come it. They even went to the self-degradation to 
smell the " non com.'s" breath, w^hether for the purpose 
of detection, or to get a suck at the bung-hole, is left for 
them to decide. 

The officers seemed to think that, every time a private 
blew his nose, the " non com.'s" must report the^ac^ to 
their dignities, as if they were to be made the stool- 
pigeons of every loafing officer, who wishes to find fault 
with every trifling thing which may occur — " too green 
by half." 

After "kidnapping" the five companies and getting 
them safe and sound on board the ship, they supposed all 
was as it should be ; but, to my mind, things looked 
rather doubtful about their stopping upon the ship Cath- 
erine, at least, for the men were in a complete state of 
mutiny — with prospects of a " muss" — so much so, that 
no officer dare go between decks — all that was wanting 
was a " leader," a resolute man to " go ahead." The 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 41 

men were ready and willing to assist in returning the 
ship to the dock from whence she came, or to some place 
of safety in the New- York harbor — passing Fort Hamil- 
ton with flying colors, and cheers to the poor devils left 
behind. 

It was even suggested to throw the officers over-board, 
unless they conducted themselves with a little more pro- 
priety. Such hooting, hissing, and hallooing, I never 
heard before — immitations of wild beasts and domestic 
animals — cursing the officers, fighting and screaming, as 
if all bedlam had been let loose ! No wonder the officers 
had, for the first time, felt a little fright ! The hatches 
were fastened dowm for the night, and none allowed to go 
on deck, — a horrible night to me, and one which I shall 
never forget. I felt satisfied with the war, and would 
have been willing to quit the " first boat," could I have 
gotten an opportunity. I was robbed of knife, comb, 
pencil, &c., &c., and threatened to be, (it matters not 
what,) unless I kept my "jaws shut up." 

SUTLERS GREAT PICKPOCKETS COPERAL OF THE GUARD, &C. 

Morning came, and with it came sour faces, black 
eyes, and bloody bosoms,— hard looks, and revengeful 
countenances— but, all was calm, as after a severe storm. 
Some w^ere occupied in washing their faces, others talk- 
ing in groups, while many stood moody and alone— some 
looking with a wishful eye towards the shore, and some 
sat in different parts of the deck engaged at the beautiful 
occupation of picking lice from their persons! Many a 

4* 



42 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

poor hody-companion was sent, into the mighty deep that 
morning, never to rise again " into this breathing world," 
full of milk, honey, and trouble. Thus, we were situated 
the second day, (January 4th, 1847.) on board the ship 
Catharine, Capt. Herbert, with companies C, D, and E ; 
Capt. Barclay, Capt. Taylor, and Capt. Pierson, the for- 
mer and latter died in Mexico. Major Burnham, with 
Adg 't Forrey, were in command of the battalion, — and, 
together were two or three of those leeches, called sutlers ; 
greater pickpockets never existed than these sutlers, 
generally. The poor soldier is actually robbed of one 
half of his pay by these leeches, who charge about five 
hundred per cent lor everything chey sell. For instance, 
one dollar a pound for tobacco, worth fifteen or twenty 
cents, and other things in proportion. I paid one dollar 
and fifty cents for a bottle of claret wine, w^orth twenty 
cents. It has been said that the Colonel was interested 
with the sutlers — if so, he indirectly robbed the soldier, 
and it seems, in more ways than one, which I shall at- 
temp to prove before I get through with my history. 

The " Corporal of the Guard" had the distinguished 
honor of being one of the party on board of the ship 
Catharine ; he was one among them who naturally felt 
dissatisfied, and with some very good reasons, though not 
in the " plot." He knew very well what was going on, 
and, of course, remained neutral. One thing was certain, 
the '* Corporal" was determined not to blow. 

I was promised, most solemnly, (after assisting in get- 
ling the men on board of the ship,) the privilege of visit- 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 43 

ing New-York, which I never enjoyed while at the Fort, 
but attended to iny duties faithfully — besides acting Com- 
missary, Corporal, Sergeant, Captain's Clerk, and Cap- 
tain in command, and marched the company on parade 
more than all the officers together — after having been so 
industrious, I thought certainly I was entitled to twenty- 
four hours in New.York, to bid my family and friends 
farewell, and to get my clothing which was left behind, 
to the amount of fifty dollars, all of which have been lost. 
Thus, I was disappointed and most rascally cheated. I 
took the officers to be gentlemen and men of honor, yet, 
" honor" was the last thing that ever entered their thick 
skulls. 

When I found that I was so deceived and kidnapped, 
I felt disheartened and discouraged, and never afterwards 
could do duty with pleasure. And I have often times 
since baulked them in drill, when they supposed that I 
was ignorant, though I had previously commanded a 
company, yet I have forgotten m6re than one half of 
them ever knew, or ever will know ! 

SW^ORN ENEMY TO TYRANTS OFFICERS GOT SOAKED. 

The treatment given me, proved in part, the loss of a 
dear wife, leaving three unprotected children! And I 
am not the only one that has suffered by their dishonesty 
and inhuman conduct. They may laugh in derision— 
but they know what I write is too ^rwe— and they were 
in hopes that I would never return to expose them to the 
world. I have sworn to expose every tyrant, and I am 



44 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

bound to do it by the dying breath of my comrades, 
though it cost me my life! 

I am a sworn enemy to tyrany in every shape and con- 
dition, rich or poor, high or low! The only reason that 
I did not before give them a dose of ipicaCy was, I did not 
wish to take advantage of any one during absence from 
home, and especially in an enemy's country. 

I am one of those men who can " forget and forgive ;" 
and, like an Indian, can recollect an injury or a kindness. 
Men who have power should reflect that they themselves 
may be under power, and to treat their fellow brothers, 
with at least, common respect. I hate the false and 
foolish tyrany one man, when in power, uses over an- 
other — taking advantage of his circumstances, and by 
those very persons who profess to be his best friends, are 
often proved to be his worst enemies! 

The greatest professional democrat is oftentimes the 
greatest aristocrat. 



THE HIGH PRrV'ATE. 45 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Fish and Fowl— Rev. Mr. Gallagher— Bibles thrown away— Christain 
friends — Prayers and promises. 

OFFICERS *' SOAKED." 

It appears after the first five companies liad left, the 
remaining five, B, F, H, I, and K, either more brave or 
more resolute, or, that the Colonel thought it more pru- 
dent to advance them a small sum — thus making fish out 
of one part and flesh out of the other ; — we heard of it, 
and well recollect the indignation felt at the time. 

The men continued to show dissatisfaction, so much so, 
that, for the safety of the ship or the men, the Captain 
" hove" anchor and put down the bay, while most of our 
oflficers went to New-York, for purposes best known to 
themselves. When they returned to the ship, they ap- 
peared to have been wet inside — nearing the vessel, their 
boat capsized and wet the dear creatures outside — so, 
taking it altogether, they were, what is called, pretty 
well soaked. How^ever, we got them safe on board more 
sober than when they left New-York. 

One or two days previous to sailing, orders were given 
to rig ourselves in our best toggery, that Gen. Gaines was 
expected to pay us a visit, &c. But, w^ho should come 
but the Kev. Mr. Gallagher, with a lot of bibles and tracts, 
— though all very good in their way, and at a proper 



46 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

time, — but you might as well " throw physic to the dogs," 
as to give a bible to a soldier going to war. I never 
saw but one man read them, and he was crazy \ — men 
only abuse and commit sacrilege at such times — for I 
pledge my honor, many were thrown over-board — others 
used for waste paper — the ballance were left upon the 
sand-hills of Vera Cruz, as it was impossible to carry 
them on a tramp, besides thousands of dollars worth of 
clothing that were thrown away. If, instead of bibles 
and tracts, the good people who so much desired the wel- 
fare of the men's souls, should have sent something for 
their bodies, many a life might have been saved, and, per- 
haps, many a widow and orphan would now have prayed 
and blessed them. Substantials and nounshment was 
that which was most wanting, and for which the soldiers 
most suffered. Three cents worth of nourishment might 
have saved a life! — or, the cost of a bible, laid out for 
the same purpose, would, perhaps, have saved many 
lives! 

Learning there had been a mutiny on board, it is sup- 
posed that the Rev. Mr. Gallagher was sent down the 
bay to allay and endeavor to soothe the excitement, as 
he had been once a soldier himself. If he ever had been 
a soldier, he must certainly have known that -prayers 
could not heal the sick, nor give them their " three 
month's extra pay," which they stood so much in need 
of for their distressed families. I like to hear prayers and 
speeches, and to see promises carried into practice. I 
suggested to the Reverand gentleman, after he had got 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 47 

through with his gratuitous advice and prayer, the neces- 
sity of endeavoring to assist the soldier's family during 
their absence, which, to my certain knowledge, many 
were suffering, and which was the cause of the " mutiny" 
on board of the ship. He asked me to procure the names 
and residences of all those who had famihes, which I did, 
and he promised his word to see them protected ! They 
were protected, " as vultures protect the lamb — covering 
and devouring them !" 

Since my return, I have enquired of several individuals 
knowing the destitute condition of many families which 
were left uncared for, and I cannot find any among them 
that were assisted by the Reverend Mr. Gallagher or his 
christian f I iends! I do not wish to ridicule " religion," 
for I am fond of it, — but, I want that which is pure, 
honest, and undefiled, — no hypocrisy or false pretensions, 
— no mockery or mealy -7nouthed prayers ! 

Well, the Reverend " soldier" and his party left us 
nearly in the same condition as when they found us, ex- 
cept a few who felt, by the Reverend's ''promises," that 
their families would not suffer from the cold hand of 
charity and want. Under this vain illusion, they en- 
deavored to keep up a cheerful heart, and to prepare 
themselves for the field of battle ! Amen ! — God be with 
you! 

January 9th, 1847, all sail was set, and ho! for Mex- 
ico! though many with disheartened spirits, by the false 
representations given by their officers. 



48 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 



CHAPTER IX. 

" On the sea, the open sea!" — Rum ! rum ! — Ship on fire— Vermlne — 
Pork! pork! — Whiskey-headed officers — Gambling, and Doings on 
board the ship. 

ALL SORTS OF THINGS. 

The men, to say the least, felt as if they were deceived, 
kidnapped, and drove on board like so many slaves ! 
Their dampened spirits and down-cast countenances told 
too plainly, that this was the fact ; but they had to put 
up with it, and bear their situation like soldiers and men. 

The w^ind blew, the weaves run, and the ship Sailed, and 
we, poor devils, went along at the same rate. Nothing 
particular occurred, except a plenty of sea-sickness, by 
which we saved considerable pork ! The officers began 
to feel a little more safe — drank brandy and sang songs, 
until the Captain of the ship literally kicked them out of 
the cabin, — ('' for particulars, see small bills.") The 
men, about these times, began to feel dry — and by dig- 
ing in the lower story, among the sutlers " goods and 
chattels," they found some fine brandy, (on the free soil 
plan,) and the party went in for free brandy, at any rate. 
It was some time before the sap-headed officers could as- 
certain where the men got their potations. They thought 
that the men had no business to drink from the bowl of 
Bacchus — that it was had for their health, and not good 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 



49 



for their souls — if any drinkinf^ was to be done, the offi- 
cers could do it without the assistance of the private ! 

Oh ! rum ! rum ! — what destruction and devastation it 
makes ! and we came very near Jeeling the effects of it. 
On one of the visits to the lower story, or " between 
decks," a soldier got drunk over the bung-hole, and left 
the candle burning near by, which, had it not been dis- 
covered in lime, would have set the ship on fire, it 
beino- at a late hour at night, and no vessel or land in 
sight, every soul on board must have perished ! But 
W'ith great presence of mind, our officers put a veto on 
such conduct for the future ! To tap their " whiskey," 
and the soldiers to be drunk, w^as not to be tolerated in a 
civilized community, — (any one seeing the live creatures 
running about deck or crawling up the rigging, would not 
be likely to think of much civilization !) — However, we 
^'ploughed the ocean," eating pork, — pork!, until you 
would almost realize that you could hear the grunting of 

liOgS. 

When about fifteen days out, (at midnight,) the horri- 
ble cry of "fire" was raised, — "the ship on lire!" — I 
had been up the fore part of the night upon duty, as 
" Sergeant of the Guard," (now Corporel,) and had left 
all " safe and sound," when I retired to my lousy hole. 
In ten or twenty minutes afterw^ards, the " betw^een 
decks," with about three hundred souls were in suffi- 
cating smoke, occasioned by a candle placed upon a 
piece of scantling, filled with w^ar implements. I rushed 
to the spot where the fire appeared to be, and smothered 

5 



50 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

it with a blanket, which soon put all things right again, 
except the smoke and fright of the whisky-headed offi- 
cers ! They never closed their eyes that night. One 
officer, to make sure of his safety, got into the yawl-boat 
during the alarm. After the fire and fright being over, 
we passed along the "briny deep" very comfortably, con- 
sidering all things, (except a fight now and then among 
the Dutch and Irish, to keep up their spirits,) though, 
the men had many ways of amusing themselves : such as 
tricks, gambling, &c. Not having their " three month's 
extra pay," the soldiers would cut up tobacco into small 
bits and play with cards for them, — others were occupied 
in washing, cooking, talking, singing, or relating some 
amusing story, &c. 

A STORY ABOUT VERMIN — THREE THOUSAND DROWNED IN 
ONE DAY ! 

The body -animals began to increase so fast that they 
would occasionally pay a visit to the cabin. The officers 
not liking such intrusions, put a guard over the door of 
the cabin, with strict orders to let no one pass, unless a 
pretty decent " non com." However, the animals, hav- 
ing no respect of persons, would walk or creep leisurely 
in, to the great detriment of their poor bodies and " com- 
forts." Exhausting all patience, they called a council of 
war, when it \vas determined to form the men into squads, 
which was to be called the ''Lice-picking Squad,'' and 
each sergeant should command a squad, subdivided for 
each Corporal. I had the extreme honor to command a 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 51 

squad of the above name. Each company of squads hav- 
ing appointed hours for the performance of duty, it was 
the most interestiiig and hjdricous scene ever witnessed 
by mortal eye. " Oh ! what a falling off w^as there !" 
Allowing ten " animals^^ to each man, which is a small 
estimate, you have three thousand vermin (or ^^animals,^^ 
a more genteel w^ay of using the term,) which were 
thrown into the sea in one day ! — " and the things were 
drowned !" Some of the squad would throw their shirts 
over-board, as the shortest cat to get rid of them. 

Now, good reader, these are facts, and '' nothing ex- 
tenuated or set down aught in malice" and all owing to 
the negligence of the officers, for not having the men 
cleansed before putting on clean garments. 

THE MONKEY LIEUTENANT. 

One night, when I was *' Sergeant of the Guard," it 
being very hot between decks, many of the men chose to 
sleep on deck or in the " fore-top." But, our Lieutenant 
" Officer of the Guard" ordered, and endeavored to drive 
them all below^; many run up the rigging, and I was 
ordered by the valiant sap-head, to go up and drive 
them down by the point of the sword. Judging the 
order a foolish one, I most respectfully declined, re- 
marking at the same time that, "I was no sailor." 
" Well," says the Lieutenant of the Guard, " if you are 
afraid to go up, I'll go datnn quick!" So, up he goes, 
looking more like a monkey than anything that I can 
compare him to. While he w^as going up on one side, 



52 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

the men would come down on the other, and, vice-versa, 
to the no small amusement of the sailors, who, afterwards, 
dMed the officer the " Monkey Lieutenant." He was 
ridiculed by the men, and laughed at by the officers, and 
I believe it was his first and last appearance up a mast. 
" For the sake of his friends and family, I will forbear 
mentioning his name." 

Our Doctor, or Surgeon, as he is called in the army, 
performed his part to the best of his abilities, as we had 
no medicines, excepting castor oil and salts, which he 
dealt largely in. In the morning, the drummer would 
beat the "Doctor's call," when all those who w^ere sick 
and wished to be excused from duty, appeared in a line. 
" Well," says the Surgeon, " what is the matter with 
you ?" " I feel bad. Sir, all over,'' replies the patient. 
" Put him down a dose of salts," says the Doctor to his 
assistant or steward, and so on, until one gets salts; the 
next, for variety, though for the same complaint, gets 
castor oil. The next mornins; the dose is chanoed if the 
patient gets no better ; and, instead of salts, gives him 
oil; and the man that took the oil must try the salts! 
'^ Great country, this !" 

" All's vvell that ends well." 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 53 



CHAPTER X. 

A pirate in sight— Great consternation on board of the ship— Water- 
spout— Danger of the same— In sight of Mexico— Boarded by Navy 
Officers — Arrived at Tampico — Officers go on shore — Ship going 
ashore. 

OUR CAPTAIN ALARMED. 

When within a few clays' sail of the Brazos, we espied 
a " low, long, black schooner" bearing hard doivn upon 
us, and our ship's Captain appeared greatly alarmed, and 
walked up and down his quarter deck very impatient. 
Soon afterwards he raised the French colors, but none 
could find out the reason for his doing so, and all was 
alarm and consternation. Some of the sailors said it was 
nothing but a " fruit vessel," bound to New Orleans, 
while others thought different, and were sure that it was 
a pirate or a Mexican Privateer. However, as soon as 
the French colors were hoisted, the strange vessel imme- 
diately changed her course, and was ^oon out of sight. 
" Very much like a ivhale,'^ — at any rate, according to 
my idea, v^hy did our Captain hoist French colors instead 
of American, unless to avoid the craft?- — " that's the 
question," as Hamlet says. We should have been in a 
pretty " muss," if she had fired her " Long Tom" into 
three hundred brave soldiers who could'nt return the 
compliment ! We had no large guns, and muskets 
would have been of no use, unless the pirate had boarded 
usj then, of course, w^e should have given them fits f 



54 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

WATER-SPOUT DANGER OF THE SAME. 

The next day, after our encounter with the privateer, 
we came in sight of a water-spout — the most awfulbj and 
splendid sight I ever beheld at sea ! It would be impos- 
sible for me to describe it ; to all appearance, it was 
coming directly amidships — if it had done so, the power 
of the troubled water would, no doubt, have twisted the 
main-mast out of its situation in less time than I am 
writing about it — and, perhaps, left us a perfect w'reck — 
besides, destroying many valuable hves, and the " Corporal 
of the Guard" among the rest! 

Not being able to give a description of it, I \m\\ drop 
the subject, and shall be glad to get rid of it so cheap^ — 
but this much I can say, it was difeet high! 

January 2Sth, (it being the birth day anniversary of 
the " Corporal,") we arrived off the Brazos, after a pas- 
sage of nineteen days from our beloved country. We 
were boarded by the American Navy Officers, and report- 
ed ourselves to the commanding General, when we were 
ordered to lay off Tampico for further orders. We sailed 
accordingly on the follow^ing day, arriving off Tampico 
on the 31st inst. — ''spoke" the United States Sloop of 
War Albany, who laid along side of us all night, and 
giving our Captain instructions, &c., in regard to the 
storms so dangerous and severe on the coast of the Mexi- 
can Gulf. 

February 1st, we lay off Tampico and came to anchor. 
During the day, a small Government Steamer came out 
to visit us, w^hen many of our officers, taking the advan- 
tage, w^ent on shore. The. " non com.'s" and privates 



The high private. 55 

were forbid leaving the ship, though I had a brother-in- 
law in the Baltimore Battalion, with news from his 
mother and sisters, and I was denied the privilege of going 
on shore a few moments to see him. In fact, I always 
was, while in the army, kept more like a slave than like 
a freeman, or treated with the rights or honor of a non- 
commissioned officer ! — The only excuse I can form for 
their unmanly treatment is, great stupidity and ignorance 
of human nature and duty. 

THE SHIP IN DANGER OF BKING LOST. 

A large quantity of dried beef was sent on board for 
each company, which we soon devoured. Water and 
wood were also brought to us, and it was with great 
difficulty that the soldiers w^ould assist the sailors to re- 
ceive it on board, as they frequently insulted the soldiers 
by throwing buckets of water upon them, and then sing 
" get out of de way," when they were washing the decks. 
As bad as the sailors thought of the soldiers, they found 
them to be very useful, in cases of an emergency. At 
one time, the ship would have been lost had it not have 
been for the assistance of the soldiers. A " norther" 
came on at night, and the vessel dragged both her anchors 
and would have gone ashore, had not all hands on board 
lent a hand. The ship's Captain begged of the soldiers 
to assist the sailors in raising the anchors, and help them 
to put to sea, or all on board would perish ! 

It was a dreadful night, and the storm was tremendous ! 
Many vessels were lost in the same gale, and among 
them was the ship Ondiaka, with United States' troops, 
which ran ashore about twenty miles below Tampico. 



L.ofC. 



56 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

The men were saved from the wreck, but they fell into 
the hands of the Mexicans. Our ship put out to sea, and 
a wet time we had of it — everything which was in any 
way loose, was washed overboard, — and, below deck, the 
pork barrels and wood got adrift, hunks broke down, and 
such crashing, rolling, and tumbling about, &c., w^e 
began to think that the world was coming to an end. 
Aye! the " Corporal of the Guard," began to tremble in 
his shoes, he being at the time on duty as " Sergeant of 
the Guard," was compelled to remain on deck — God 
only knows for what purpose — for the officers could give 
no reasonable excuse. 

THE GUARD WASHED AND ROLLED ABOUT. 

The Guard w^ere completely drenched by the waves 
rushing over the decks, and over our carcases. I was, 
for one, wet to the skin — washed about, kicked about, 
rolled about, and came very near rolling into the accursed 
*' Mexican Sea." I finally got hold of a sailor's pea- 
jacket tail and himg on, until he dragged me to the wind- 
ward, where I wound a piece of rope around my body, 
boldly singing out, '' change the Guard !" But no Guard 
or sentinels could / see. Thinks I, let the ship go ! I 
can go as fast as she can, — and over came another thou- 
sand bushels of salt water, — Oh, heavens ! they intend to 
drown me alive ! — Where shall I go 1 — What shall I 
do ? I made a rush towards the cabin door to see if the 
" Officer of the Guard" was alive or drunk, for he had 
not shown his delicate face for a long time. In I went, 
the first sea, " heels over-head," among brandy bottles, 
sick officers, broken crockery, &c., &c. I begged for a 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 57 

Spoonful of brandy, but they said it was all gone, or that 
I had no business to have any liquor while " on Guard.'* 
I would like to have some one, just at that present time.. 



" LOUD SWELLED THE TEMPEST !" 

The wind still blew a perfect hurricane — but, the Cap- 
tain could'nt stop it, — he raved and swore, though, being 
" a respectable church member" in one of the New-York 
churches, he ordered the ship to stand still, — but it 
would'nt mind ; it had no more feeling for us than a 
Guerilla, and it cut up more capers and turned more sum- 
mersets than a circus-rider or a vaulting machine. For 
nearly three days we had such kirid of fun, if you 
" landsman" choose to call it so. I could'nt but think 
of the words of — " carry me back to old Virginia^ to 
old Virginia shore /" It took us five or six days to re- 
turn to our old anchorage ground, all alive and kicking, 
with only a few scratches and bruises. We were happy 
to get a breathing spell for a few days, after our unpro- 
fitable excursion, while most of the officers were on shore 
at Tampico, drinking mint julips, carousing, &c., &c. 

" Hey, Betty Martin, tip-toe fine !" 
Did'nt we go it strong on the wine 1 



58 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 



CHAPTER XI. 

Officers' arrival on board— Ordered off to Lobos Island— Fighting 
among the soldiers— Ditto. Captain and Lieutenants— " Boar((||Btop- 
ped"— Officers "shut down on" — Begging food from the soldiers — 
More " promises to pay"— Liquor gone — In great distress ! 

officers' arrival on board. 

" Off she goes ! off she goes ! with a new fore-top-sail ! 
Off she goes! off she goes ! to Lobos Island ! 
Off she goes !" 

The officers, after h'^y'mg pretty fine times atTampico, 
arrived on board the ship quite sober. I do not mean to 
insinuate that they were, or that they had been intoxica- 
ted while in Tampico — not at all ! But, their conduct 
was such, that General Patterson thought it most advisa- 
ble and prudent for them to go on board the ship, and do 
their duty with their respective companions, and accord- 
ingly ordered us to sail for " Lobos." After taking on 
board more fresh {dried, for it w^as the driest meat I ever 
sucked,) beef, water, and w^ood, we " pulled up stakes," 
and steered for " Lobos," the land of— bugs, insects, liz- 
ards, tanturillas, snakes, land-crabs, bad water, and death! 
On our passage, a fight would frequently occur, generally 
to the amusement of the bystanders — as our life w^as so 
monotonoie, that, anything in the shape of a " muss" 
was very acceptable ;— all the punishment which the 
combantants were awarded w^ith, w-as to arrest them and 



THE HIGH PRIVATE. 59 

place them under guard for a short tnne, in a very pleas- 
ant part of the ship, much more so Than what they were 
in the habit of having previous to the fight; the sentence, 
of course, was more of pleasure than of punishment. 

During the passage, a beautiful and exciting ^'fighf' 
occurred between the Captain of the ship and a Lieuten- 
ant, though, diminutive in size, he Wcisbig in consequence, 
in his own estimation at least. Some worils of an un- 
pleasant and disagreeable nature passed between the two 
heroes, from the " lie," and " you lie," " damn coward," 
&c., came blows, clenching, and the drawing of the fatal 
sword ! — when they were parted, raging, and raving, like 
two hyenas. The report after the battle was, " two 
slightly wounded, two frightened, and none killed." 

On, or about this time, or some days previous, the Cap- 
tain of the ship began to consult his own in.terest ; and 
in so doing, refused to board the officers, until they " paid 
up" their board-bill, as he thought it had been standing 
or laying too long for the benefit of his purse. Conse- 
quently, the honorable'' s pride began to fall about fifty per 
cent. To live on turkeys and chickens, and hot cakes, 
and then to be reduced to live on salt pork and crackers, 
was too bad — it was horrible ! 

" What, Sir !" says one of the bravest, " are not New- 
Yoi'k officers' credit good for anything they might call 
for ? Are we, Sir, to be placed on a par with common 
soldiers, and to be fed on poi k and beans ? Such con- 
duct. Sir, is not to be tolerated !" 

" Gentlemen !" says the Captain, " I ^m master of this 
ship, and I intend to be so as long as God gives me 



60 THE HIGH PRIVATE. 

breath ! If you call yourselves gentlemen and men of 
honor, why don't yoif ' chalk up ?' then I may ' tolerate' 
you ! Mark my words, — you may yet be compelled to 
live upon worse fare than what the ' common soldier' 
gets, — at any rate, you eat no more of my fowls until 
you 'pint/''' 

" Oh ! what a downfall was there, my countrymen !" 
OFFICERS BEGGL\G FOR SOLDIERS' RATIONS. 

After having been virtually kicked out of the cabin, 
the '^ poor fellows" came to our Orderly Sergeant, and 
with a down-cast look, begged for a little ''nice pork," 
with " trimmings," — that they had got tired of the living 
in the cabin, and had " concluded" to take some of the 
soldier's rations, which th^y would pay for in money, at 
some "-future time." The " Coporal" thinks, that the 
" future" will be as long as the " future state of punish- 
ment." 

To be liberal and considerate for our unfortunate situa- 
tion, they would " draw a little from each company," so 
the loss, I suppose, would not fall all upon one company. 
Oh ! what a kind, considerate, and affectionate set of 
officers ! Out upon such hypocritical and " considerate 
beings!" Vanish from my sight! for your hearts are rot- 
ten with deceit ! Where are all those solemn " promises 
of extra pay ?" — forgotten ? — yes, all forgotten ! Self ! 
self! and " the devil take the hindmost!" was their mot- 
to ; — and the devil will take them one of these odd days 
of trouble, combustion, and telegraphic navigation ! 

END OF PART FIRST. 



AN 



r 



^^jolcigy for tl)£ jTiiet part. 



The " Corporal of the Guard" owes an apology for the very 
hastv manner, in which the first part of his plain history of the 



<^ 



-5^ 



^ , V ^ A 









C" 






.^<^_ 



-;> > 



"oo^ 







''•^ 




^ 



^oo^ 



■ V' ■ ' " rip .' 






x' 






a\ 



vO^. 







































<^^... . - ,^^- v.._. y ^ 









V 






/^' .^/'-.-^i.-/ '^'\.V^^'..^ ^^^' ^^ 






LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




010 456 465 3 



